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Yin Chai Hu银柴胡

Stellariae Radix · Stellaria Root · Starwort Root

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《本草纲目拾遗》

Overview

Despite the name it is not a Bupleurum. Sweet and slightly cold, it clears the low, lingering heat of yin depletion without any of Chai Hu's outward-releasing, upward-lifting action. It is the herb for afternoon and night-time fever with the sensation of heat steaming out of the bones, and for the persistent low fever of childhood nutritional impairment.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Slightly cold

Channels

Liver · Stomach

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
银柴胡Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Clears deficiency heatSteaming-bone fever, afternoon tidal fever, night sweating and a dry red tongue of yin deficiency; the lead herb of Qing Gu San.
  • Reduces childhood nutritional-impairment heatChildren with a distended abdomen, poor growth, irritability and a stubborn low-grade fever.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Yin Chai Hu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Steaming-bone and afternoon tidal fever from yin deficiency
    - Night sweating with a dry mouth and red peeled tongue
    - Persistent low fever of childhood nutritional impairment

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Low-grade feverNight sweatsFailure to thrive

Contraindications

Cautions

It treats deficiency heat only and does not release the exterior, so it is inappropriate for wind-cold fever with chills, and unnecessary in blood deficiency where there are no heat signs.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ben Cao Gang Mu《本草纲目》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.